October 2003

Julie Feldman MPH RD, Clinical Dietitian

 Happy October ghosts and goblins.  The season of high calorie, low nutrient candy is here which is good for all of you constantly trying to add on a few pounds, and bad for the rest of the world who is trying to take a few off.  But on a more serious note, October is a month we should all hold close to our hearts as it hosts national CF Awareness Week from October 12-18th.  This meaningful public awareness campaign helps the CF foundation to raise funds for priceless research.  This is also an opportunity to raise concern regarding the detrimental effects of CF.  One out of every 31 people in the US are unknowing, symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene.  We hope to encourage people to get tested for such mutations.  So get out and show your strength and support for the CF foundation which currently is investigating 24 potential CF therapies. 

Trial in Phase II

 Sucampo Pharmaceuticals announced last week the initiation of a Phase IIa safety and efficacy trial of SPI-9911.  24-30 patients have been randomized into three open-label groups at four sites throughout the US.  This current therapy has already received orphan drug status for use in treating CF.

  An alternate form of vitamin D, calcitriol, has now been shown to improve calcium balance in adults with cystic fibrosis.  As we have often talked about, the risk of osteoporosis is elevated in patients with CF for several reasons.  From chronic steroid use, to inadequate vitamin D absorption the bones of many CF patients become thin at an early age.  A recent study used calcitriol and showed favorable results with bone mass density improvement. If you have not been screened for osteoporosis, please let us know.

Corus Announcement

Corus Pharma announced May 28th that they have filed an Investigation New Drug application with the FDA for aztreonam formulated for inhalation and that they have dosed their first cystic fibrosis patient in a Phase Ib study.  Corus 1020 is an inhaled antibiotic therapy with a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria. The drug is delivered directly to the lung for improved efficacy against lung infections.

BCY Lifesciences has completed Phase II of a trial to assess the use of a new drug DCF 987 in either 500mg or 1000mg inhaled doses in adult CF patients.  DCF 987 affears to act by thinning thick mucus and preventing bacteria from sticking inside the lungs.  We will now await the assessment of all the statistical analysis.

Protein Pumping

A lot of you have asked me recently how to get more protein into your diet.  I thought I would review some healthy good sources of dietary protein for us all to include in our daily diets.

Let's start with lean meats.  Turkey, Chicken, and Lean Ground Beef are excellent ways to add protein to your diet.  They are low in saturated, artery clogging fat and provide 7 grams of protein per ounce of meat.  The American Heart Association, along with many CF experts recommend eating an adequate amount of omega-3 fatty acids.  These can be found in another great source of protein, fish.  Having fish 3 times per week is the goal.  Protein can also be found in foods that I have been telling you all to eat for some time, that is low-fat dairy products.  These foods, including yogurt, milk, cheese and ice-cream provide you with much needed calcium and 7 grams of protein per serving as well.

How much protein do you need?  You can take your weight and divide by 2.2 to get kilograms.  This is an estimate of the amount of protein that you would need in any given day.  If you would like more help in determining your protein goals, feel free to contact your friendly dietitian.